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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (July 7) – A Greco-Roman battle waged between the United States and Mexico on the first day of action at the Cadet Pan American Championships being held at the Gimnasio Polideportivo CENARD in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Nearly every weight category was decided with either an American or Mexican wrestler claiming the gold medal. The U.S. finished in first place in the team race with four champions, ten total medals and 92 team points. Mexico scored five gold medals, one more than their American counterparts, but still wound up in second place with 76 team points.

The championship performance turned in by the U.S. was led by a pair of Minnesota natives, Carson MANVILLE (USA) and Peyton ROBB (USA). The duo accumulated six total wins with five coming by technical fall and one by pin.

Carson MANVILLE (USA)

Manville topped the 58 kg field by defeating Lenin Javier GONZALEZ PALACIO (ECU) decisively in the gold-medal match, 8-0. Robb posted an identical 8-0 score in the 69 kg finals over Hector Yonaiker RODRIGUEZ BENITEZ (VEN) to take the title. This marks the first international gold medal for both men.

Also boasting gold-medal wins for the U.S. were 42 kg champion Thomas CURRAN (USA) and 100 kg champion Jace PUNKE (USA). Curran bounced back from an early defeat in round-robin action to finish with a 3-1 record. His signature win came in the third round over eventual silver medalist Eduardo LOVERA (ARG), 10-7. Punke defeated Edson Everardo ACUNA SALAZAR (MEX) by 5-1 decision in the only 100 kg bout of the tournament.

Jesus Enrique LOPEZ NINO (MEX)

The standout performance for Mexico came from 76 kg champion Jesus Enrique LOPEZ NINO (MEX), who was awarded the Golden Boot as the most outstanding wrestler of the Greco-Roman tournament. Lopez Nino won four matches in a gritty 76 kg round-robin bracket, including a 7-0 win over silver medalist Michael O'MALLEY (USA), on his road to gold.

85 kg champion Luis Alfredo LOPEZ VAZQUEZ (MEX) showcased his talents to the Pan American field to the tune of three technical falls. Lopez Vasquez topped silver medalist Hunter DE JONG (USA) 10-2 in his first match of the day.

Adding on to the long list of champions from Mexico were Axel Andre SALAS ESQUIVEL (MEX) at 46 kg, Jose Alberto MOO SANTAMARIA (MEX) at 50 kg and Diego Alberto MARTINEZ DE LEIJA (MEX) at 63 kg.

Axel Andre SALAS ESQUIVEL (MEX)

The only man not from the U.S. or Mexico to sneak atop the podium was 54 kg champion Matias Augusto PANERO (ARG). The hometown favorite posted a perfect 4-0 record in a five-man round robin to strike gold.

The Cadet Pan American Championships will resume tomorrow at 1 p.m. local time with the women’s freestyle tournament. All the action can be viewed live around the world at unitedworldwrestling.com.